Villa Park witnessed one of the lowest turnout for 30 years as the hosts crashed out of the Carabao Cup at Middlesbrough’s expense.

The League Cup encounter attracted just 11,197 fans to the famous old ground, a 6,000 decrease on the second round win over Wigan Athletic where the 18,108 attendance was largely topped up by a number of season-ticket holders attending with free tickets as part of an early sign-up incentive.

Attendances were down across the board as the competition struggles to whet the appetite of supporters who are already paying out for expensive season-tickets in the two two divisions in the country..

Just 6,607 turned up to watch Crystal Palace squeeze past Huddersfield Town in an all-Premier League match-up and there were only 12,740 spectators down the road at Molineux as Wolves edged past Bristol Rovers after extra-time.